Thanks again! What are your thoughts on locations for apartments? Centrally located, access to transportation and not too loud. I would like to first book accommodations and then start planning my itinerary.

Thank you to everyone for the great recommendations. I was looking back on other threads where I was told that 3 days would be enough for Spain and they did not add most of these wonderful cities. I just researched Tarragona, Girona, Montserrat, Sitges, and Tossa del Mar. They all look wonderful and I am adding as many as I can fit in to my itinerary. I have not booked my apartment yet but we planned on using Barcelona as our "home base" specifically the eixample or plaza catalunya area (this is where has been recommended). Am I able to sort of combine some of these cities for our day trips? Trying to find the most effective way to hit as many as possible.

Sorry, but I'm not a good person to ask about apartment locations. I agree that Eixample would be a good area of Barcelona, but I chose my locations in both Barcelona and Madrid for my very specific interests, and would not feel comfortable making a recommendation. I'm sure others will chime in -- or you can use the search function (in the upper right part of the screen) to find similar questions and answers.

You might try rome2rio.com or even google maps to get preliminary information about your transportation options, but FWIW, I'm not sure I would try to combine multiple destinations into a single day -- most of these locations could easily take a day or more! Again, you need to mark up a calendar. (And FWIW, you can't visit ALL of these places -- or at least, I don't think you can unless you put ALL of your time into the area around Barcelona.)

I'd like to commend you, kwar -- many people come to Fodorites for advice; few actually make major changes in their initial plans in response. In contrast, you have taken the input you've been offered and have put it to good use. Kudos! I think your trip will be much better, for you and your family, as a result. And I'm sure you'll find further ways to tweak your plan as you begin to browse through guidebooks and see what others say.

I could be much mistaken, but aren't your children at an age where they might want to consult some travel books about your day trip options and provide their input? It might be a great way to get them involved in advance and ensure their engagement....

And again -- you don't need to plan the day trips in advance. You can view those plans as "back ups" for poor weather days, etc.

Just for the hey of it, here is the correct pronunciation of Sitges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ICmw16UWus

kja... because Spain was not even on our radar for travel this year, I am totally in the dark abt it. The flights popped up and BOOM... we were headed to Spain. I have been given lots of good advice and have researched everything. I am now wondering if I should do 5 days in Barcelona and the rest in Andalusia instead of Madrid. I do have to fly out of Madrid but that wouldn't be a problem. Seems people are very fond of Andalusia. Thoughts on that? I am going to explore that and then make my decision. I need an entire month but we will just have to go back again one day!

I am going to get my kids on board for sure. I usually have them do a small report on something that interests them so they can be in charge of teaching and showing us all abt what they have learned.

I just need to get the places decided and accommodations booked and then the fun will begin! I'm ready to get this part done but want to be sure we made the right choice!

<I was told that the eixample area is a good central and safe location. Is this true?>

Eixample is upscale, good, central and safe (and a huge area).

I rather recommend more fun, medieval and vibrant El Born, narrow streets, some of the best tapas bars and cafés in town, and a cradle of Catalan identity and culture.
https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....s/el-born.html
http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/born
Apartments in El Born:
http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/barce...artments/born/
http://barcelona-home.com/en/accommo...na/born/all/13

Personally, I would wait to visit Andalusia until you can give it at least 10 days. JMO.

That depends on whether you plan to return to Spain or not. If no, then I would definitely fly from Barcelona to Andalucia and visit Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. Too bad you're not flying into and out of Madrid, but so it goes.

I stayed in the Eixample and, as kimhe noted, it's safe and upscale if, albeit lacking in a bit of the Barcelona charm you'd find in the Born or other older parts of the city.

I think you should stop stressing about the itinerary and just set it and go. Like kja said, there are no bad choices, just difficult ones. I would stick with the 7 days in Madrid and surrounds. I am actually one of the minority who preferred Madrid to Barcelona as to me, it was more typical "Spanish". (Of course, Barcelona is Catalan...). Both Toledo and Segovia were charming visits. I only had 1 night in Toledo and would have preferred two, knowing what I know now.

And while I know you're from Florida, I assume you are traveling to Spain in the summer and Andalucía in the summer will be hotter than hell. I loved it (Sevilla was my favorite city in Spain) but save it for another time of the year.

Add me to the Madrid-lovers. It had culture, shopping, food, and parks while not as overcrowded and touristy-I could practice my Spanish. I also spent a day in Toledo and loved it.